Artemis Refused entry to Libya!!

Lioness · 11-25-2007, 05:21 AM

**Ally** · 11-25-2007, 05:29 AM

Several ships have been turned away in the last few weeks, Jean. Costa had problems too, along with non Arab airlines.

Unfortunately due to past differences of opinion cruises have experienced more than a few difficulties gaining access to Libya. It is a real shame as the country has some of the best historical/archaelogical sites in the world. The Libyan government are making strides in the right direction to sort the problems out, however, the sticking point does seem to stem from the current government in the US and the ongoing judicial problems over flight 103 in 1988 and the conviction of Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi for planting the bomb on the plane.

It is a country that I actually would love to visit one day. The history and culture is very complicated. One day things will calm down, but while the judicial in-fighting goes on about Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi, there is little chance of that happening for a while, unfortunately.

Lioness · 11-25-2007, 05:31 AM

Ally, I flew in there a lot when I was a Flight Attendant, but mostly with oilmen, so the flights were either full of men going out there for 4 months, or men coming back who hadn't seen a woman or a glass of alcohol for 4 months! You can guess the rest.

Yes I know there are archaeological treasures - I was being flippant.

**Ally** · 11-25-2007, 05:37 AM

Well they do say on cruise itineraries that the ports of call are not guaranteed. Artemis went to Malta (one of my favourite islands) a little earlier than expected.

I definately want to go see Libya one day (along with Lebanon).

The experiences you had when working are similar to what the Gulf Air crews have with the lads working in the UAE/Saudi oilfields when they go home for their break.....

Lioness · 11-25-2007, 05:39 AM

Yep Ally, just the same. I love Malta, went in there on a sailing boat a few years back. It's a stunning entry in a small yacht.

**Ally** · 11-25-2007, 05:41 AM

I can imagine that would be the nicest way to arrive in Malta, Jean

Locarno · 11-25-2007, 07:56 AM

Hi,
I was in tripolis with COSTA and although we had some diffficulties - like refusal to allow six US citizen shore leave, we had no problem to disembark our Guests. The issue here is that a full manifest of Passenger anc crew Names msut be send to the local ship Agent one week before arrival of the vessel. the Agent then has to translate and re-write the manifests in arabic language, writing, which is then used by local authorities to clear the ship.
The roman ruins due to the dry desert climate, are the best there are in the world and definitely worth a visit. if your only interested in t-shirt and jewellery shopping a la rhodes, caribbean or key west, then your right. lybia is not for you.
happy cruising!
Locarno